With many NSW towns facing "Day Zero" this year, Cowra Council have been given an update on the progress of plans to address drought water supplies.
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Alternative water supply options have been established by council following the Lachlan Water Utilities meeting in Cowra last year.
The meeting included a presentation by Water NSW on the range of Wyangala Dam "cease to flow" drought scenarios based on inflows.
Should there be restrictions placed on the water sourced from the Lachlan River, the alternative options include accessing dead storage in Wyangala Dam, accessing supply from Central Tablelands Water (CTW) and accessing water from the standby Billimari bore and new bores, with hydrogeological investigation and design for the bores now taking place.
Councillor Ray Walsh said it was "prudent" planning that properly addressed a potential scenario in the near future.
"We need to let our community know that what might happen in six, 12, 18 months regarding our water supply," he said.
"It's all a "might" and a "maybe" but we are actually thinking about what needs to be done to ensure a supply for the people of Cowra."
Councillor Bruce Miller said council must have alternative plans in place for the current and future droughts.
"As we know, we do have droughts from time to time and we will have them again," Cr Miller said.
"It's not an emergency now but a good safety measure going forward for our community and I think that's very important."
Councillor Bill West echoed his colleagues, saying water supply will need to be addressed should inflows remain at current levels.
"We've got a bucket of water going out of it [Wyangala Dam] but nothing going in, you don't have to be a Rhodes Scholar to figure out that something needs to change," he said.
"I think it is incredibly prudent management, hopefully we are not going to have to cut into it this year, but if we do, we'll have our plans done."
Councillor Miller said council is "not making light" of the current drought, however is looking to address the unpredictable nature of water supply.
"I think it's really important we are on the front foot," he said.
"If we don't get the rain, and the forecasts are not looking good, that implementation stage is critical. We have the planning done, finances in place and that work started."
